WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), today released the following statement after the Bush administration announced it will not finalize its rulemaking on Corporate Fuel Economy Standards before leaving office.

"Apparently the Bush administration was too busy giving midnight regulatory handouts to its corporate cronies to complete its work on fuel economy standards for consumers," said Markey, Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. "I look forward to working with President Obama to implement this landmark CAFE legislation and get our national energy policy back on track."

Rep. Markey was the principal House author of the first mandated increase in fuel economy standards since 1975, which was contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The new law directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to raise fuel economy standards for both cars and light trucks to a fleet wide average of at least 35 miles per gallon in 2020, starting with model year 2011 vehicles. 

#  #  #